Being outside in the cold is not inviting most days, especially when we experienced some warm weather so early. These new cold days have caused the screens to dominate in our homes again. Try a few of these ideas to help build closer family relationships. Note: Please don’t vilify the use of screens. Just provide the time, event, and enthusiasm to replace some screen time OR use screen time to your advantage.

Using screens:

1. Have a movie marathon TOGETHER
2. Watch home movies and tell some family stories along
3. Make a video together with a smartphone video app
4. Play Wii or some other gaming system that allows you to get physical and laugh
5. Test your knowledge with brain teasers online
6. Play 20 questions on your phone or without

Avoiding screens:

1. Layer up… cold weather doesn’t mean you can’t go outside. Encourage your kiddos to put on a few layers and go for a short walk with you
2. Have a dream time. “If I could never fail, I would…”
3. Discuss and brainstorm ideas for how God will use your family to help others.
4. Go through your boxes of photos and tell the stories your kids would love to hear!
5. Rearrange and organize someone’s bedroom TOGETHER
6. Make dinner together
7. Have an indoor Olympics
8. Bake cookies
9. Play a board game – Check out our Family Game Night, too.
10. Build a blanket fort
11. Read a good book
12. Do a craft
13. Color – yep, everyone
14. Play cards
15. Play hide and seek
16. Play flashlight tag
17. Have a scavenger hunt
18. Write cards to a local shut-in and deliver them
19. Make a “campsite” inside
20. Have an indoor picnic
21. Put on a good album and dance around the house
22. Spa day for the whole family
23. Make ice cream sundaes
24. Do indoor hopscotch
25. Go through your closet and put aside clothes for donation
26. Give your pet some extra attention… Doggie/Kitty Spa Day
27. Do a crossword puzzle or sudoku
28. Call someone and catch up over the phone… encourage each of your kids to MAKE A PHONE CALL instead of texting a friend
29. Put together a puzzle
30. Make paper airplanes and have contests to see whose flies the farthest